Aircraft Laser Detector System for Perpetrator Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airplanes are increasingly threatened by laser flashes from the ground, which can permanently damage pilots' vision, distract, or temporarily blind them, leading to potential crashes, and existing technologies lack effective means to identify and prosecute perpetrators due to unknown locations.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft laser detector system comprising a laser detector, lens, GPS receiver, tilt measurement device, and processors that determine the location of a laser source by analyzing detected laser light, GPS location, and tilt angle, allowing for real-time communication of coordinates to law enforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a laser detector system is installed on an aircraft to detect laser light, then the ability to detect laser threats is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent detection systems (laser detector, GPS receiver, tilt measurement device) into a single integrated apparatus that processes data from all sensors through one processor. This merging approach maintains comprehensive detection capabilities while reducing overall system complexity through unified data handling and coordinated operation of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor in the patent performs multiple functions: it processes laser light detection data, integrates GPS location information, incorporates tilt angle measurements, and calculates the intersection point of the laser source. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated processing units for each sensor type, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable detection capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If the laser detector determines the location of the laser source using GPS and tilt data, then the precision of locating the perpetrator is improved, but the loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects and pre-processes GPS location data and tilt measurement data before laser detection occurs. By maintaining ready-to-use position and orientation information from these sensors, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming data collection during actual laser detection events, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining high location precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor continuously monitors and integrates data from all sensors in real-time, creating a feedback loop that maintains updated information about aircraft position and orientation. This continuous feedback mechanism ensures that when laser light is detected, the system already has current GPS and tilt data ready for immediate processing, minimizing delay while achieving precise location determination.
3Ease of operation
If the aircraft laser detector is made compact for easy transportation and installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sensitivity of the laser detector may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the laser detector, GPS receiver, tilt measurement device, and processor into a compact nested arrangement where smaller components are housed within or alongside each other. This nesting strategy reduces the overall footprint of the system, making it easier to transport and install, while maintaining all necessary functional components for sensitive laser detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs compact housing designs and integrated circuit boards that minimize physical space requirements. By using thin-film technologies and compact structural elements, the patent maintains detection sensitivity while reducing the overall size of the apparatus, thereby improving ease of installation and transportation without sacrificing performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables immediate location of laser perpetrators, providing evidence for prosecution and deterring future attacks by determining the exact ground coordinates of laser sources in real-time, while being compact and requiring no electrical integration into the aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
the lens is operable to pass the laser light to the laser detector
Implementation Method 2
The laser detector is operable to detect a laser light emitted from a laser source
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, an apparatus comprises a laser detector, a lens, a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) receiver, a digital ground map, a tilt measurement device, and one or more processors. The laser detector is operable to detect a laser light emitted from a laser source, the lens is operable to pass the laser light to the laser detector, the GPS receiver is operable to determine a GPS location of an aircraft, and the tilt measurement device is operable to determine a tilt angle of the aircraft. The one or more processors of the apparatus are operable to determine a line of sight based on the detected laser light, the GPS location, and the tilt angle. The one or more processors are further operable to determine a location of the laser source from an intersection of the line of sight and the digital ground map.